Cult power
By Bullit Marquez
It was an ordeal for thousands of commuters June 30 when traffic stalled along EDSA because of the “surprise” rally by members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo held a at the People Power Monument in Quezon city to express their support for fellow member, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta following an announcement by the Office of the Ombudsman that he would be charged with plunder for having received P75 million in campaign contributions during the 2025 mid-term elections when he was a senatorial candidate.
Marcoleta did not declare the contributions in with the Commission on Elections and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, as required by the law of all government officials.
The non-bailable crime of plunder is committed by a public officer who, by himself or in conspiracy with others acquired ill-gotten wealth amounting to at least ₱50 million pesos.
INC Spokesperson Edwil Zabala said they are supporting Marcoleta in the impending plunder charge and accused the Marcos administration of “selective justice.”
“Gusto naming ipaalam sa kanila na isang injustice ang selective justice. At hindi kami mananahimik sa harap nitong napakalaking pagyurak sa katarungan na hinihingi ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
The problem with INC’s argument is the information on the contribution came from Marcoleta himself.
The anti-corruption placards held by rallyists did not seem to support what they were doing which was to condoning impunity and evasion of accountability.
Rallyists transferred to Liwasang Bonifacio July 2.
